Wollsdorf Leder- Upholstery Leather [BLP]
Overview:
Tanned cow hide processed with reduced environmental impact and waste generation compared with typical manufacture. Used for residential and contract commercial furniture and marine, automotive and aircraft applications.
Product Description:
Wollsdorf Leder upholstery leather manufacturers have used their third party certified EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management System to reduce the environmental impact of their leather processing, including controlling chemical use and emissions and reducing waste generation. Such initiatives include:
- Very low Chromium emissions to the environment per hide(approx. 0,0082 g per hide resp. 4.100 g/p.a. of Chromium is sent to landfill /incineration).
- By using fresh hides and fleshing practices there is a reduced chemical and preservative requirement.
- Water consumption usually very high for leather manufacturers, Wollsdorf Leder recycle water through onsite sewage treatment plant- reducing fresh water usage by 50% (in comparison to 15 years ago).
Leather range includes aniline, semi aniline and corrected grain top coated leathers (see Leather in Glossary)
Use of this product may contribute to the achievement of Green Star™ credit points (see disclaimer below). Subscribers please click here to view full enhanced content listing.
Issues of Concern?
Toxicity:
Due to environmental impacts of chrome (a toxic heavy metal), chrome-based tanning processes seek to reduce chrome emissions to zero. While chrome-free tanning alternatives exist, most tanneries are still chrome based.
Approximately 0,0082 g per hide resp. 4.100 g/p.a. of Chromium is sent to landfill /incineration. The supplier states that less than 1% waste chromium results from leather tanning. It is primarily held in sewage sludge as a relatively inactive, insoluble trivalent hydroxide (at approx 3.500 - 4.500 mg/kg dry substance). (see Chromium in Glossary) The company states that no waste chromium is returned to the source river after treatment - chromium is recycled from waste water resulting in 99% use of the chromium put in production - this practice also results in a 15% reduction in chromium purchase.
Transport:
90% of the product is airfreighted to Australia which is a high GHG-generating form of transport. The supplier states the product is freighted as general cargo on passenger services as opposed to freight services which does diminish its relative GHG impact to an extent.
Availability:
ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Other information:
Assessment Criteria Satisfied
© ecospecifier 2008
